Providence overhauling its dated zoning laws

PROVIDENCE — Joe the resident wants to add a porch to the front of his house, but like many of his neighbors, and most of Providence, the size of his lot is smaller than city zoning laws require.He cannot...

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By
Alisha A. Pina
Posted Sep. 11, 2013 @ 12:01 am

PROVIDENCE — Joe the resident wants to add a porch to the front of his house, but like many of his neighbors, and most of Providence, the size of his lot is smaller than city zoning laws require.

He cannot get a building permit for the minor addition, but now has to request the Zoning Board of Review’s approval.

The comprehensive update, they say, should also reflect the way neighborhoods currently look; guide sustainable development; preserve the city’s historic character; address temporary uses such as outdoor entertainment and farmers’ markets; and encourage development near busy public transit areas.

The revision is expected to take 12 months, with City Council approval by September 2014 and implementation the following month.

“We are updating and improving Providence’s zoning ordinance as part of our work to jump-start economic development in Rhode Island’s capital city,” Taveras said.

Saying the city will solicit input from business owners, residents and others, the mayor continued, “When we work together, when we have a vision and a plan, we can compete head-to-head with any city or state in this country.”

The Planning Department is overseeing the update with Camiros, the Chicago-based firm Providence hired.

The project’s website says the current ordinance dates to 1951 and the amendments over the years only responded to “specific issues that have emerged rather than a comprehensive overhaul of the regulations.”

The improvements, planning officials say, will better align the ordinance with the Providence Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2012 and maps how land should be managed and developed in the city.

As an example, Bonnie Nickerson, the city’s director of long-range planning, says the reworked ordinance should include incentives to developers who build mixed-used properties near Providence’s busy public transit hubs — such as Broad Street and North Main Street. Incentives could include reducing the number of parking spots needed for the property, or increasing the amount of units that could be built on a single lot of land.

The goal, says Nickerson, is to encourage people to use public transportation rather than cars — a desire within the comprehensive plan.